The partnership between the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the UFC ended due to the return of Conor McGregor, causing fighters to question what will happen in terms of drug testing.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the UFC recently ended their eight-year partnership, leaving many fighters uncertain about the future of drug testing in the sport. Previously, fighters who had 50 clean drug tests received recognition in the form of a jacket and a high-five from the UFC’s anti-doping czar. However, with the dissolution of the partnership, the fate of those coveted jackets hung in the balance.
On Wednesday, USADA made an announcement about the termination of the partnership, citing the return of Conor McGregor as a contributing factor. McGregor, who recently recovered from a broken leg suffered at UFC 264, announced his re-entry into the USADA-administered drug testing pool. The agency stated that the partnership had become “untenable” due to this development, surprising many in the MMA community with their candidness.
Fighters reacted to the news with a mix of humor and concern. Some speculated humorously about the potential rise in steroid use among their peers now that there would be no drug testing from January onwards. Others expressed disappointment about missing out on the USADA jackets they had been aiming for. There were also concerns raised about the absence of drug testing in certain regions where athletic commissions do not exist.
One fighter highlighted the previous disparities among fighters who played by the rules and those who didn’t, and expressed hope that the dissolution of the partnership might level the playing field in terms of drug use. Another fighter mentioned the relief of not having to endure the inconvenience of holding urine samples in the early mornings. Amidst these reactions, a fighter also shared a personal experience of a contentious battle with USADA over a failed drug test and subsequent ban, emphasizing the agency’s shortcomings.
In summary, the termination of the USADA-UFC partnership has sparked varied responses from fighters, with some joking about potential steroid use, others expressing disappointment about missed opportunities, and still others discussing the potential impact on drug testing in different regions.